Sweets: Expert Guides and Resources

Chocolate truffles seem so decadent, but they're deceptively inexpensive to make — so they're perfect for gifts for Valentine's Day, Christmas, and birthdays. Homemade chocolate truffles can be every bit as smooth and rich as the ones from gourmet chocolatiers. Just be sure to use the very best chocolate you can afford when making this recipe.

Caramel corn makes a great treat for Halloween parties. This tasty treat includes three types of nuts and it’s bound to please your little goblins and ghosts and anyone else who likes the rich flavor and crunch of caramel corn. ©Wagner / Adobe Stock Nutty Caramel Corn Preparation time: 20 to 30 minutes plus 20 to 30 minutes for coolingYield: 8 servingsIngredients: 10 cups popped popcorn 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 1/2 dark brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup corn syrup 1/2 cup water 2 tablespoons butter 1 cup raw whole almonds 1/2 cup whole raw cashews 3/4 raw pecan halves 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons baking soda Instructions: Rinse a large stainless steel bowl with hot water and dry well (this heats the bowl).

Following a few foolproof baking tips will make baking cookies a fun and delicious experience. If you run out of an ingredient while making cookies, you can find a substitution, or you can reduce the fat in your favorite cookie without compromising its quality. Adding icing to your cookies makes them even more fun.

If you're having a love affair with chocolate, this recipe will only deepen your devotion. Two separate chocolate fillings are swirled together in this tart to make a striking marble effect. Although the marble two-chocolate tart looks like it may have taken all day to prepare, it’s really easy to make.Preparation time: 4 hours (includes chilling)Cooking time: 22 minutesYield: 16 servings 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar 2 cups flour Pinch of salt 1 1/4 sticks (1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons) butter, chilled 2 eggs 2 tablespoons cold water 2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream 10 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 ounces white chocolate Sift the confectioners’ sugar.

As a candy-maker, you need specific tools and utensils. Some, like measuring cups and spoons, you probably already have and use; others, like a candy thermometer and a marble slab, don’t see much service unless you’re making candy. Keep the following tools on hand for your candy-making efforts: Baking pans Me

You need some special utensils and skills for candy making, as well as some special (and yummy) ingredients. After you learn how to temper chocolate (people eating chocolate are generally in a good temper, but that’s not the same thing), you can take off and start giving your candy as gifts — and you probably have some friends who’d be happy to help eat your mistakes, too!

Although these date pinwheel cookies take a bit of work, they’re worth it. To make your date pinwheel creation a bit easier, you can make both the filling and the dough in advance and put them together before baking. Preparation time: 12 1/2 hours, including chilling Baking time: 12 minutes Yield: 3 1/2 dozen 3/4 cup pitted dates 1/4 cup walnuts 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 1 orange 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon baking powder Pinch of salt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup light brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Roughly chop the dates and walnuts.

These yummy squares can satisfy any lemon craving. A soft lemon topping sits on a crunchy cookie base. Although these cookie squares aren’t complicated to prepare, they take a little extra effort because you have to prepare a crust and a topping. But they’re well worth it. Preparation time: 30 minutes Baking time: 45 minutes Yield: 24 2-inch squares 2 large lemons 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup, plus 3 to 4 tablespoons confectioners' sugar Pinch of salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Florentines are a favorite Old World cookie. Although preparing Florentine cookies requires several steps, you won't regret the extra time, especially when you see the satisfied smiles on the faces of family and friends lucky enough to sample them. Preparation time: 30 minutes Baking time: 10 minutes Yield: 20 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or nonstick cooking spray 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter 2/3 cup sugar 2 tablespoons honey 1/4 cup heavy cream 2 cups sliced almonds 2/3 cup finely diced candied orange peel 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.